NEW YORK (July 2, 2013) – RIMS Australasia Chapter has officially announced its first Board of Directors, appointed from representatives of the Founding Members of RIMS Australasia Limited. The RIMS Australasia Chapter was recently established as part of RIMS strategic goal to increase the Society’s influence, advocacy and global profile across South East Asia and the Oceanic Region.

With most of the Founding Member organizations comprising the largest publicly listed and private corporations in Australia and New Zealand, the representatives appointed to the new RIMS Australasia Chapter Board are among the region’s most respected executive risk managers and thought leaders, many with international responsibilities.

In accordance with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) requirements and RIMS bylaws, the following six member representatives have been appointed as the chapter’s first directors:

Chapter President

Colin Knox

Risk & Assurance Director and Vintrepreneur, Treasury Wine Estates

Australia

Chapter Vice President

Kate Beddoe

Chief Risk Officer, Vector Limited

New Zealand

Chapter Secretary

John Evans

Group Insurance Manager, Wesfarmers Limited

Western Australia

Chapter Treasurer

Peter Sterry

Group Manager Risk Financing, Orica Limited

Australia

Chapter Delegate RIMS House of Representatives

Eamonn Cunningham

Chief Risk Officer, Westfield Limited

Australia

Chapter Director

Robert Frost

Group Risk Manager, Fletcher Building Limited

New Zealand

“The value of risk management has become increasingly evident in Australia and the surrounding region,” said newly appointed RIMS Australasia Chapter President Colin Knox.“Here, practitioners are relentless in their quest for more knowledge and resources when developing or advancing their risk management programs. We look forward to being that resource, enabling them to exceed expectations, manage risks more effectively and leverage new and exciting opportunities for their organizations.”

The chapter has scheduled its first educational event for December 5, 2013 in Melbourne, coinciding with the official launch of the chapter with RIMS Board and executive managers in attendance.Additional details about the chapter and the event will be available on www.RIMS.org soon.

RIMS now has more than 11,000 members, located in over 60 countries.The Society’s 82Chapters are located in the United States (68), Canada (10), Japan, Mexico, Australia and Peru.In addition to having chapters in these countries, in the past year, RIMS has actively participated in conferences and hosted professional development workshops in Dubai, Panama, Tokyo, Mexico City, Venezuela, Bermuda, as well as several cities in Europe.

As the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing the practice of risk management, RIMS, the Risk Management Society™, is a global not-for-profit organization representing more than 3,500 industrial, service, nonprofit, charitable and government entities throughout the world. Founded in 1950, RIMS brings networking, professional development and education opportunities to its membership of more than 11,000 risk management professionals located in more than 60 countries. For more information on RIMS, visit www.RIMS.org.